Sunderland v Newcastle United early team news: Key men ruled out & two major injury doubts

Sunderland v Newcastle United early team news: Key men ruled out & two major injury doubts.

It's derby day! Newcastle United take on bitter rivals Sunderland for the first time in almost eight years.

The two clubs last met in March 2016 in what was a 1-1 draw at St James' Park. Jermaine Defoe opened the scoring before a late goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic rescued a point for United.

The Magpies were relegated from the Premier League at the end of that season but swapped places with Sunderland a year later. The Black Cats then dropped into League One and spent four years there before returning to the Championship in 2022.

In that time, Newcastle have changed owners and qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe, however head to Wearside having lost seven of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Sunderland sit sixth in the second-tier table with new boss Michael Beale winning two, drawing one and losing one of his opening games in charge.

The two clubs go head-to-head for a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. But there is the small matter of local bragging rights at stake.

Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at the early team news from both camps:

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